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‌‌Penumbral Eclipse of the Moon on June 5, 2020

A minor eclipse (penumbral) will be occurring on June 5th for the eastern hemisphere. Earth will partially block the Sun causing the Moon to slightly darken. The animation will explain it better. The southern part of the Moon will be shaded. Only half the Moon (0.5683) will immerse into the penumbral shade. The states will see a penumbral eclipse on July 5th.

Annular Eclipse of the Sun on June 21, 2020

Animation showing the path of annular eclipse as seen in the eastern hemisphere with the eclipse centered over the Himalaya of northern India. In the graphic, you will see Suns appearing and disappearing: this represents sunrise and sunsets. A couple of suns look like they are spinning oddly. Why?

This is because they are near the Tropic of Cancer and because it is the first day of summer, and the astronomy software is tracking the Sun all the way to the zenith – from sunrise to noon. The software then flips the view 180 degrees to keep tracking the Sun as the sun, sets.

Venus in the Evening Sky from 2019 to 2020

Venus has returned to the evening sky!

Venus will stay with us after sunset from September-October 2019, through May 2020.

Venus will reach inferior conjunction on June 3rd of next year, and thus, return to the morning sky in June.

Mercury will appear three times above the horizon during this time period with the first appearance occurring this October.

Jupiter and Saturn can be seen approaching the southwestern horizon from October through January.

You will note that Jupiter and Saturn will both travel in a straight line. Mercury and Venus will not!

Venus will exhibit various phases of illumination, as the months progress, much like the Moon, with Venus reaching less than 10 percent illumination (crescent phase) in May 2020.